Clasp.



M-. C. RAIKES.

CLASP.

APPLICATION F|L ED. 0cT.9. 1916.-

1,21 9,043.- Patented Mai-13, 1917.

MERRILL C. RAIKES, OF PHILIPPI, WEST VIRGINIA.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Application filed October 9, 1916. Serial No. 124,660.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MERRILL C. RAIKES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philippi, in the county of Barbour, State of lVcst Virginia, have invented a new and useful Clasp; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved clasp, more especially adapted for use in connection with clothing of any description, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of this kind having improved, efficient and practical features of construction.

One of the features-of construction is to provide a clasp consisting of two members, one having a central opening and provided with an overturned annular flange to receive a split spring wire ring, the ends of which terminate in spring arms arranged adjacent opposite edges of said opening, to

retain a. button of the other member through said central opening.

In practical fields, the details of construction may necessitate alterations, falling within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings, and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the clasp, showing the button of the bottom member of the clasp passed through the opening of the top member.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, showing the bottom member as having been moved out of axial alinement with the top member, and the button out of registration with the opening. to retain the two members clasped.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the outermost member.

Fig. 4. is a plan view of the other member of the clasp.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a portion of one of the members of the clasp showing how one of the arms of the circular ring is fastened to the member.

Referring more especially to the drawings, 1 and 2'designate the two members of the clasp. The member 1 consists preferably of a circular disk provided with a stud button 3 extending from one face thereof, the head 4 of which button is provided with a lateral extending pointed portion 5. The stud button is substantially conical shape in plan view. The circular member 1 is provided with a plurality of apertures or perforations 6, to receive several stitches, not shown, to fasten the member 1 to one portion of a garment, not shown. The other member 2 of the clasp consists preferably of a circular disk having a substantially conical opening 7 corresponding to the shape of the stud button, but a trifle larger, so that the stud button may pass therethrough. The member 2 liasan annular flange which overlies said member. The circular member 2 has struck up from it a pair of oppositely disposed partially curved lugs 9. Arranged under the annular flange 8 is substantially a circular split ring 10,- constructed of suit able spring wire. The opposite end portions of the ring terminate in spring arms 11 which extend under the partially curved lugs 9, so as to be held in position, normally in parallelism to each other. The extremities of the arms 11 extend under the annular flange 8 at points substantially opposite the lugs 9, in order to be retained against displacement outwardly. These spring arms 11 are arranged adjacent the opening 7 at points diametrically opposite each other. The member 2 is also provided with a plurality of openings or apertures 12, to receive stitches of thread, not shown, where by the member 2 may be fastened to an opposite portion of a garment, not shown. When connecting the two members of the clasp, the member 1 is placed concentric with the member 2, and in such a position that the stud button will register with the opening 7, in order to pass therethrough. The two members are then moved toward each other concentrically, the stud button passing through the opening 7 and in so doing,

the head 4: of the stud button will spread the arms 11, which will then spring under the head substantially at diametrically opposite points. The extremities of the arms in engaging under the fiangeS prevent outward displacement of the arms when the head is pushing against the arms to spread them. After the spring arms have sprung under the head, the member 1 may be moved to the position shown in Fig. 2, in other Words eccentric to each other, in which case the stud button is out of alinement With the opening of the member 2; therefore in this arrangement the two members Will be held clasped together. The lugs 9 also act to prevent the arms from moving outwardly from the circular member 2. By anchoring one end portion of each arm in this manner the arm is held more rigid at one end, thereby insuring greater resiliency of the arm.

The invention having been set forth, What is claimed as new and useful, is

1. in a clasp, the combination of a circular member having a stud button on one face thereol and a second circular member hav ing an opening corresponding in shape to the head of the stud button to receive the button when the members are placed to-- get-her concentrically, of a circular split ring having its end portions terminating in parallel spring arms extending across edge portions at substantially diametrically opposite points of the opening, to spring under the head of the button at diametrically opposite points to retain the two members clasped, the second member having lugs, one to anchor one end of each arm to the second member, the second member ha *ing an annular flan e overlvin the rin to hold it in )ltlCG said flange at points opposite said lugs overlying the free extremities of the arms, to

prevent outward displacement of the free extremities of the arms.

2. In a clasp, a circular member having a substantially central opening and provided with a pair of lugs struck up therefrom at one end of said opening, a circular split ring arranged concentric with said member and having its end portions terminating in parallel spring arms secured to said member by said lugs and extending across edge portions of the opening at substantially diametrically opposite points thereof, said member having an annular flange overlying and holding the ring in place and overlying the extremities of the spring arms opposite said lugs, thereby preventing the arms from springing outwardly from the member, when they are sprung from each other, and a second circular member having a stud button on one face thereof conforming to and adapted to pass through said opening engaging aud spreading the arms, whereby said arms may engage under the head oi? the stud button.

In testimony whereof I have gned. my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MERRILL C. RAIKES.

Witnesses LACY T. LORD, ALLET Cross.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

